Power Design Expands St. Petersburg Training Campus
The company is growing its apprenticeship facility to meet rising demands for skilled trade workers.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Internships
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Power Design is expanding its St. Petersburg training campus to accommodate the growth of its PowerU apprenticeship program. The initiative aims to address a significant projected workforce shortage in the skilled trades sector.
Why it matters
The expansion seeks to combat a looming labor crisis, as a large portion of the current trade workforce nears retirement age. By formalizing training, the company intends to establish a consistent, high-quality skill set for the next generation of laborers.
Power Design currently operates a 77,000-square-foot training facility for its 380 apprentices who work across 350 active projects. The firm notes that 25% of the trade workforce is aged 55 or older, while only 11% is under 25.
The players
Power Design
This electrical contracting and construction firm operates a major training campus in St. Petersburg.
Department of Labor
This federal agency provides certification and oversight for apprenticeship programs across the United States.
Department of Education
This federal department works alongside the Department of Labor to set standards for trade education and training.
The details
Apprentices enrolled in the Department of Labor and Department of Education certified program spend one week every quarter performing hands-on exercises at the facility. During their training, students are paired with fourth-year mentors to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application.
Timeline
Seven years ago: PowerU apprenticeship program was created.
Next nine years: 1.7 million annual trade job openings are projected.
Next year: The company plans to double the number of new apprentices.
2030: $6.7 trillion in construction work is projected to be needed.
Market Landscape
Power Design's infrastructure investment follows the standards for industrial training programs supported by the National Apprenticeship Act. By scaling these internal systems, the company is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the $6.7 trillion in construction projects projected by 2030.
For job seekers in the St. Petersburg area, the expansion of the campus will likely lead to an increase in available training spots and entry-level positions. Current students and prospective apprentices can expect more robust onsite residential options as the facility adds new dorm rooms.
The takeaway
With nearly one-quarter of the trade workforce approaching retirement, structured apprenticeship programs serve as a critical pipeline for industrial projects. Investing in hands-on mentorship can significantly help new workers navigate the gap between schooling and field performance.
Further reading
For more information on professional development in the area, visit the Internships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tampa Bay Times.
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